Purdue starts slow, recovers to drill Western Illinois

Purdue used its efficient offense to power past Western Illinois 81-67 on Wednesday at Mackey Arena in West Lafayette in the College Basketball Invitational.

Purdue (16-17) hit 58 percent of its field goals (31-of-53). The Boilermakers went into the locker room with the momentum and came out of the second half flying as well. Trailing 30-22 with 7:24 to go in the first half, Purdue went on a 20-6 run to seize a six-point advantage early in the second half.

Even in defeat, Don McAvoy III came through for Western Illinois (22-9), with 16 points and 5-of-9 shooting from the field.

A.J. Hammons sparked the Boilermakers, as he had 15 points and shot 6-of-11 from the field. Rapheal Davis shot 4-of-5 from the field and scored 12 points for the Boilermakers, who also received double-digit efforts from Ronnie Johnson (14 points) and Terone Johnson (10).

The Leathernecks hit 50 percent of their field goals (26-of-52). Western Illinois also got double-digit performances from Remy Roberts-Burnett (15 points) and Michael Ochereobia and Adam Link, who each scored 12.

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D.J. Byrd drains triple:

Ronnie Johnson gets easy layup:

Sandi Marcius turns steal into bucket:

HALFTIME: Purdue leads 37-34 over Western Illinois at the half thanks to double-digit scoring performances from A.J. Hammons (11 points) and Terone Johson (10).

The Boilermakers trailed 32-27 when they broke out for a 10-0 run to overtake the Leathernecks and seize a five-point lead.

Purdue has been effective inside, making 14-of-24 two-point field goals, but the Boilermakers have struggled on the perimeter, shooting 1-for-4 from three-point range.

Remy Roberts-Burnett led Western Illinois in the first half, with 11 points.